ABSTRACT
Background: Unavailability of ultrasound and unpredictable success with traditional blind technique makes Transversus Abdominis Plane Block under-utilized in developing country like India. Aims & Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Surgeon-assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane Block as an adjuvant to routine analgesic in reducing pain score during first 12 hours postoperatively in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy. Material and Methods: This was randomized, double-blinded, controlled, clinical trial carried out in tertiary care, teaching hospital. All the patients received a routine general anaesthesia with standard monitoring. Group A received routine analgesic which included Diclofenac sodium 75 mg intravenously (IV) at 8 hourly and group B received routine analgesic & Transversus Abdominis Plane Block with 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% at the end of surgery. Visual analogue score for pain, incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting and demand of rescue opioid (Tramadol 2 mg/kg IV) in post-operative period were assessed every 2 hourly up to 12 hours after the surgery by an investigator blinded to group allocation. Results: Transversus Abdominis Plane block reduced visual analogue scale for pain on emergence and at all postoperative time points up to 12 hours (p < 0.0009). The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting, and demand of rescue opioid in the first 12 postoperative hours were also reduced (p < 0.0001). There were no complications attributable to the block. Conclusion: Transversus Abdominis Plane Block is effective as an adjuvant to routine analgesic to reduce pain after open cholecystectomy and reduces post-operative opioid demand and nausea & vomiting.
ABSTRACT
Background: Succinylcholine induced fasciculations and myalgia may be a source of greater distress to the patient than the surgical pain. Aims & Objective: This study was designed to see if propofol offered any protection against succinylcholine induced fasciculations and myalgia compared with thiopentone sodium. Material and Methods: This prospective, randomized study was conducted in a teaching and tertiary care hospital. The study included 99 adult patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia for elective surgery. The patients were allocated randomly and equally into Group P1, P2 and T. Anaesthesia was induced in group P1 with propofol 2.5 mg/kg, group P2 with propofol 3.5 mg/kg and group T with thiopentone sodium 5 mg/kg. Tracheal intubation was facilitated by administration of intravenous succinylcholine 2 mg/kg. Incidence and severity of fasciculations were recorded. Anaesthesia was maintained with 50% Nitrous oxide in oxygen, Isoflurane and Vecuronium bromide. At the end of surgery, neuromuscular blockage is reversed and patients were extubated. All the patients were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively to evaluate the incidence and severity of myalgia. Anova test was applied for quantitative data and Chi-square test for qualitative data. P value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The demographic data of patients of the three groups were comparable. The total incidence of fasciculations were 25(75.76%), 16(48.48%) and 26(78.79%) in group P1, P2 and T respectively (p<0.001). Total score of fasciculations was 44(44.44%), 22(22.22%) and 53(53.54%) in group P1, P2 and T respectively. The severity of fasciculations was reduced more in group P2 than group P1 and T (p=0.0006). The total incidence of myalgia were 19(57.57%), 10(30.3%) and 23(69.7%) in group P1, P2 and T respectively (p<0.001). Total score of myalgia was 35(35.35), 18(18.18) and 45 (45.45) in group P1, P2 and T respectively. The severity of myalgia was reduced more in group P2 than group P1 and T (p<0.001). There was no correlation between fasciculations and myalgia in the present study (Pearson’s r correlation, r = - 0.139). Conclusion: Propofol 3.5 mg/kg in comparison with propofol 2.5 mg/kg and thiopentone sodium 5 mg/kg is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of succinylcholine induced fasciculations and myalgia.